SENIOR citizens, persons with disability (PWDs), pregnant women, and indigenous peoples (IP) may be able to cast their votes at an earlier time during the October 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).
Elections chairman George Garcia said he wants the early voting hours pilot tested in the forthcoming poll exercise.
“I am proposing to the Comelec en banc, for purposes of the 2023 BSKE, to pilot test in Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, and NCR (National Capital Region), at least in two precincts, for the early voting hours for seniors, PWD, pregnant women, IPs,” said Garcia in a press conference at the sidelines of the National Election Summit 2023.
“This means that if voting period starts at 7 a.m., maybe we can ask the teachers to open the polling precincts from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. for seniors, PWD, pregnant, IPs,” Garcia said.
The poll chief said the proposal seeks to improve the voting process for those considered part of the vulnerable sectors.
“If they can vote exclusively during these hours, the elderly, PWDs, IPs, and pregnant women, this would give them great convenience,” he said.
He said his proposal provides that the proposed “Vulnerable Sector Hour” be adopted while the Comelec waits for the passage of a law on early voting.
“If this proves to be successful, we can do it while we wait for the early voting law. Once the law is passed, we will pull out the early voting hours as there is no more need for it,” said Garcia.
The Comelec has been opening Accessible Polling Places for registered voters belonging to the vulnerable sectors during electoral exercises. Such places must be located at the ground floor, preferably near the entrance of the building; is free of any physical barriers, and provided with necessary services, including assistive devices.
However, the voting hours for the vulnerable sectors is similar to the rest of the voting population.
The Comelec en banc is expected to discuss Garcia’s proposal next week.
Meanwhile, Garcia vowed to make the BSKE peaceful amid the spate of killings of local government officials.
Garcia vowed they will do everything to secure the holding of the barangay and youth polls as soon as the Election Period begins.
“The power of the Comelec will only be effective during the Election Period, once the Election Period kicks in,” said Garcia.
